Water-proof photographic charms

ABSTRACT

The invention comprises a water-proof photographic charm. In one embodiment, a handcrafted gold or silver jewelry base is provided for the charm, and a proprietary process is used to combine a photograph with the charm to produce a water resistant photographic charm. The charms may be mounted on a bracelet, necklace, earrings, or other piece of jewelry. The photograph is adjusted to size for cropping and display quality. A hand beveled crystal seal is used to protect the image from the elements and, at the same time, enhance image size by providing a magnifying effect.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application 60/614,619 which was filed on 29 Sep. 2004, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by this reference thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The invention relates to the display of photographs. More particularly, the invention relates to water-proof photographic charms.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

The keeping of photographs is of great importance to many individuals, both as a reminder of their loved ones and for other emotional or sentimental reasons. While photographs are often displayed on people's walls and desks, it is not as common for people to wear the photograph, for example of a loved one, as an accessory to their apparel. Lockets with photos contained therein are known. It is also possible to put a photo on a pin or other display surface. However, there has heretofore been no way to incorporate a photograph into a piece of jewelry, such that the photograph is an integral portion of the jewelry. It would therefore be advantageous to provide a photographic charm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a water-proof photographic charm. In one embodiment, a handcrafted gold or silver jewelry base is provided for the charm, and a proprietary process is used to combine a photograph with the charm to produce a water resistant photographic charm. The charms may be mounted on a bracelet, necklace, earrings, or other piece of jewelry. The photograph is adjusted to size for cropping and display quality. A hand beveled crystal seal is used to protect the image from the elements and, at the same time, enhance image size by providing a magnifying effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a base and bezel for a water-proof photographic charm according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the process for preparing a photograph for use in a water-proof photographic charm according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic flow diagram showing preparation of a water-proof photographic charm according to the invention; and

FIG. 4 shows a completed water-proof photographic charm according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a water-proof photographic charm. In one embodiment, a handcrafted gold or silver jewelry base is provided for the charm, and a proprietary process is used to combine a photograph with the charm to produce a water resistant photographic charm. The charms may be mounted on a bracelet, necklace, earrings, or other piece of jewelry. The photograph is adjusted to size for cropping and display quality. A hand beveled crystal seal is used to protect the image from the elements and, at the same time, enhance image size by providing a magnifying effect.

The preferred embodiment of the invention provides a process for assembling an image under a glass as part of a charm. While the invention described herein is concerned with a charm that is used as jewelry, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the process herein may be used to combine images in a charm for purposes other than the production of jewelry. Additionally, while the images herein are referred to as photographs, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other images may be used as well. Further, while the invention is taught that the image is assembled as part of the charm under a glass cover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other types of covers may be used as well.

In the presently preferred embodiment, the charms themselves are artisan designed to provide a unique quality for each charm. It is the intent of the invention to provide an heirloom quality piece of handcrafted, wearable art with such base materials as sterling silver or 18-karat gold. Each charm is preferably hand fabricated in two separate pieces, in which a bezel is provided that has a complimentary engagement with a base. The charms are typically eight millimeters in size, which is considered an appropriate size for imaging viewing, although other sizes may be provided. In the preferred embodiment, the bezel has two one-millimeter holes, and the base has two 18-gauge wire posts that fit into the corresponding bezel holes. The charm also provides a loop for attachment to a piece of jewelry, such as a bracelet, necklace, or the like. The bezel and base portions are welded with rubber molds and then cast in either sterling silver or 18-karat gold. The pieces are then tumble finished to remove any casting residue and to clean them for further use.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a bezel 11 and base 12, which combined, form a charm base 10. In FIG. 1, the posts of 13 of base 12 are shown with complimentary apertures 14 formed to a lower portion of the bezel 11. The bezel is placed onto the base after finishing, as described above, and the posts are then hammered to create a tight rivet joint. This is a first step in producing a water-proof charm. Thus the charm and the charm base shown in FIG. 1 provides an assembly 10 in which the apertures and base are shown after hammering, as indicated by numeric designator 15.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a process for preparing the image for the charm. The image, which in the preferred embodiment comprises a photo, is scanned, resized, cropped, and professional processed on archival photographic paper. The image is cut to fit the charm insert and the back is sprayed with an acid free paper protectant 21. An optically clear glass, in the preferred embodiment measuring one sixth of an inch thick, is water jet cut and hand ground to a best-fit match to the bezel. The glass is then hand beveled and polished. The glass functions to magnify the image placed beneath it and to provide protection against ultraviolet light. This assures preservation of the image, and thus provides an heirloom quality for the charm. The glass and inside of the charm are cleaned with a 70 percent Isopropyl alcohol and dried. The glass is then cleaned a second time with a trasan cloth to remove fine dust particles and any oils. The photograph is also wiped front and back using the trasan cloth to remove dust and the oil residue. In FIG. 2, the image 22 is shown from the back and from the top 23.

FIG. 3 is a schematic flow diagram showing assembly of the image and the charm base to complete the waterproof photographic charm according to the invention. In the preferred embodiment GS Glass Cement™ is put on the charm insert (300) approximately one ggt. is used of the cement. The cement is allowed to begin curing for 60 seconds. This is a second key step for producing a water-proof charm.

The image is then placed on top of the cement and tamped flat against the base using a clean non-abrasive plastic tamping tool (310). Another layer of cement is then applied on top of the image (320) approximately one ggt. of cement is used for this step and the cement is allowed to begin curing for 60 seconds. This is a third key step in producing a water-proof charm. The glass 31 is then placed over the top of the photograph using fine-tipped tweezers (330). Pressure is applied to set the glass in place. The edge of the bezel is then hammer set using a jeweler's setting tool and hammered until all edges are tightly closed. This is a fourth key step in producing a waster-proof charm (340).

Each charm is then allowed to dry for a minimum of 24 hours. Each charm is then hand-filed, sanded, and polished. The charm is then tested for water resistance by exposing it to water in a rotary barrel tumbler for at least four hours. In addition to water resistance, a further critical aspect of the invention in creating a satisfactory piece lies in mounting and sealing the photograph in a dust-free environment with the individual materials, i.e. image, base interior, and glass, devoid of scratches.

FIG. 4 shows a completed charm. In the case of FIG. 4, the charm base is square, although any shape base may be used and any materials may be used for the base.

Although the invention is described herein with reference to several embodiments, including the preferred embodiment, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other applications may be substituted for those set forth herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Accordingly, the invention will only be limited by the following Claims. 

1. A method for producing a waterresistant photographic charm comprising the steps of one, providing a charm base; securing a photograph to said charm base with an adhesive; applying a layer of adhesive to the top of said photograph; placing a piece of glass on top of said photograph; and applying pressure to said charm to secure said glass to said charm.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said charm compromises a base portion and a bezel portion, the base and bezel portion being combined by the step of meetingly engaging wire posts of said base with complimentary apertures formed through said bezel; and hammering said posts to secure said bezel to said base.
 3. A waterresistant photographic charm formed in accordance with the method of claim
 1. 4. A method for producing a waterresistant charm comprising the steps of: combining a charm bezel and charm base into a single unit to produce a water-proof charm base/charm bezel combination; applying an adhesive to said charm base; placing an image on top of said adhesive; applying a layer of adhesive on top of said image; applying a glass cover on top of said image; and hammer setting the edge of said bezel to close edges thereof.
 5. A waterresistant photographic charm, comprising: a base; a bezel; said base further comprising at least one wire post, said bezel comprising at least one aperture that is complimentary to said base wire post; wherein said base and bezel are secured as a watertight unit by compression of said post to form a rivet joint; an image secured to said base within said bezel by an adhesive; and an optically clear glass secured to said image by an adhesive; wherein said bezel comprises an edge that is hammer set to close the edges of the bezel about a periphery of said glass.
 6. A method for producing a waterresistant photographic charm, comprising the steps of: fabricating a bezel having apertures formed there through; fabricating a base having wire posts projecting there from that are complimentary to the apertures formed through said bezel; placing the bezel on the base and hammering the posts to create a tight rivet joint; placing an adhesive on said base and allowing said adhesive to begin curing; placing a photograph on top of said adhesive, said photograph facing upwardly; tamping said photograph against said base with a non-abrasive tamping tool; applying a layer of adhesive on top of said image; allowing said adhesive on top of said image to begin curing; placing a glass on top of said photograph; and hammer setting an edge of said bezel to tightly seal the edges of said bezel to said glass.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein said photograph is scanned, resized, and processed on archival photographic paper.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein a back of said photographic is sprayed with an acid free paper protectant.
 9. The method of claim 6 wherein said glass compromises an optically clear glass measuring about one sixth of an inch thick; and wherein said glass is water jet cut and hand ground to a best-fit match to said bezel; said glass then being hand beveled and polished.
 10. The method of claim 6, wherein said glass and inside of said assembled bezel and base are cleaned with a 70 percent Isopropyl alcohol and then dried; wherein said glass is cleaned a second time with a trasan cloth to remove fine dust particles and any oils; and wherein said photograph is wiped front and back using said trasan cloth to remove any dust and any residue. 